Stop slacking, C4H4AsH! | TypicalNerd’s first year undergrad GYG (2023 - 2024)
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Original post by PAT_22
I witness her being roll called at LMH! We had to have a roll call to register all the new people in our college, and it was kinda crazy ngl. (I got a glimpse when Emma Watson was called so it was pretty cool - no pics tho)
Yea I didn't spot any sign of her walking to the Sheldonian with the rest of the new LMHers so idk.
Yea I didn't spot any sign of her walking to the Sheldonian with the rest of the new LMHers so idk.
I see. There wasn’t so much of a roll call at St John’s - on matriculation day, we just ticked our names off a list, picked up a named envelope and waited in Front Quad for us to be guided to the Sheldonian through the college gardens.
How did you find matriculation?
Original post by 5hyl33n
Thank you. 
It's going well so far, thank you for asking. Very busy, but that is to be expected. How is university so far on your end?
It's going well so far, thank you for asking. Very busy, but that is to be expected. How is university so far on your end?
Oops. Forgot to respond to this (sorry!)
Not too bad at the moment. Busier than A levels typically were (though I’m managing to get the work done so far but at a slower pace than I would like), but I’m enjoying the challenge and uni life so far.
I’m currently writing up two lab reports that are due for tomorrow and hoping they will be to an acceptable standard (I’m currently trying to worm my way out of the shit because in the TLC part of one of the practicals, one of the solutions containing a reference sample was too concentrated so there is a streak rather than a spot, so this has thrown off the results).
Original post by TypicalNerd
I see. There wasn’t so much of a roll call at St John’s - on matriculation day, we just ticked our names off a list, picked up a named envelope and waited in Front Quad for us to be guided to the Sheldonian through the college gardens.
How did you find matriculation?
How did you find matriculation?
It was ok lol (It isn't my type of thing to do on a Saturday but we took lots of pics with friends so that was nice)
Original post by TypicalNerd
Oops. Forgot to respond to this (sorry!)
Not too bad at the moment. Busier than A levels typically were (though I’m managing to get the work done so far but at a slower pace than I would like), but I’m enjoying the challenge and uni life so far.
I’m currently writing up two lab reports that are due for tomorrow and hoping they will be to an acceptable standard (I’m currently trying to worm my way out of the shit because in the TLC part of one of the practicals, one of the solutions containing a reference sample was too concentrated so there is a streak rather than a spot, so this has thrown off the results).
Not too bad at the moment. Busier than A levels typically were (though I’m managing to get the work done so far but at a slower pace than I would like), but I’m enjoying the challenge and uni life so far.
I’m currently writing up two lab reports that are due for tomorrow and hoping they will be to an acceptable standard (I’m currently trying to worm my way out of the shit because in the TLC part of one of the practicals, one of the solutions containing a reference sample was too concentrated so there is a streak rather than a spot, so this has thrown off the results).
No problem.
Excellent. How did the lab write-up go?
I have my first lab this Thursday (we are synthesising tetraphenyltin).
Original post by 5hyl33n
No problem.
Excellent. How did the lab write-up go?
I have my first lab this Thursday (we are synthesising tetraphenyltin).
Excellent. How did the lab write-up go?
I have my first lab this Thursday (we are synthesising tetraphenyltin).
The first one is basically done. Although I had some sketchy results because I’m a fairly meh experimentalist, I think I have sufficiently summarised everything I did and how I could improve the procedure should I ever repeat it.
The second lab report is well under way and the results are looking to be very convincing. It should be done before I go to bed at 4 am (which I am prepared to do given I have 2 lectures tomorrow and that’s all I absolutely must do).
Original post by TypicalNerd
The first one is basically done. Although I had some sketchy results because I’m a fairly meh experimentalist, I think I have sufficiently summarised everything I did and how I could improve the procedure should I ever repeat it.
The second lab report is well under way and the results are looking to be very convincing. It should be done before I go to bed at 4 am (which I am prepared to do given I have 2 lectures tomorrow and that’s all I absolutely must do).
The second lab report is well under way and the results are looking to be very convincing. It should be done before I go to bed at 4 am (which I am prepared to do given I have 2 lectures tomorrow and that’s all I absolutely must do).
Just wanted to drop in and say I'm loving your GYG blog, and I look forward to following it closely
Original post by brainzistheword
Just wanted to drop in and say I'm loving your GYG blog, and I look forward to following it closely
Thanks. Glad to hear.
There’s not a huge amount going on at present on this GYG, so I’ll need to write another update once I have the time to do so (probably some time later on tomorrow).
Update number I can’t be bloody bothered to count ffs:
Not a huge amount has happened of late because I’ve been pressing on with work and have spent some time this week literally just doing nothing because it’s no good overworking yourself.
I have two more practical write ups to sort out and I’m not looking forward to dealing with them and the post-lab interviews as I feel my results weren’t great and I kinda bs-ed my way through identifying a number of organic compounds using the 1H NMR and IR spectra (somehow my deductions appear to be correct according to one of the lab supervisors, but at least by my own admission, my logic behind them is pretty unsound).
This week is thankfully the week where I don’t actually have to do any practicals (but I still have to hand in the reports for the ones from last week), which means I can finally get all my tute sheets sorted for maths and deal with the organic chemistry work, too.
In terms of things I plan on doing outside of study, I haven’t really thought that far ahead. I may take myself out for a nice dinner (or just book another place at a formal) and find a nice bottle of wine to enjoy one evening.
Not a huge amount has happened of late because I’ve been pressing on with work and have spent some time this week literally just doing nothing because it’s no good overworking yourself.
I have two more practical write ups to sort out and I’m not looking forward to dealing with them and the post-lab interviews as I feel my results weren’t great and I kinda bs-ed my way through identifying a number of organic compounds using the 1H NMR and IR spectra (somehow my deductions appear to be correct according to one of the lab supervisors, but at least by my own admission, my logic behind them is pretty unsound).
This week is thankfully the week where I don’t actually have to do any practicals (but I still have to hand in the reports for the ones from last week), which means I can finally get all my tute sheets sorted for maths and deal with the organic chemistry work, too.
In terms of things I plan on doing outside of study, I haven’t really thought that far ahead. I may take myself out for a nice dinner (or just book another place at a formal) and find a nice bottle of wine to enjoy one evening.
Spoiler
Update 6: Pretty much nothing to see here
Yet again, relatively little has happened this week. The formal I attended on Tuesday was wonderful and I have handed in both the ghastly practical write ups I mentioned in my last update. Strangely enough my results were actually not that awful, despite how useless my attempts to analyse the NMR spectra with MestReNova were.
Today’s plans involve pressing on with the various tutorial sheets, enjoying a nice glass of red wine in the evening (probably the Jam Shed shiraz, which I really recommend by the way) and praying my organic chemistry tutor doesn’t murder me in the next tutorial for being rather inept at drawing all the possible stereoisomers of a given compound.
Yet again, relatively little has happened this week. The formal I attended on Tuesday was wonderful and I have handed in both the ghastly practical write ups I mentioned in my last update. Strangely enough my results were actually not that awful, despite how useless my attempts to analyse the NMR spectra with MestReNova were.
Today’s plans involve pressing on with the various tutorial sheets, enjoying a nice glass of red wine in the evening (probably the Jam Shed shiraz, which I really recommend by the way) and praying my organic chemistry tutor doesn’t murder me in the next tutorial for being rather inept at drawing all the possible stereoisomers of a given compound.
Spoiler
Yay for formal and red wine! 
Try not to worry too much about the work you're handing in atm: firstly I'm sure it's better than you realise, and secondly (and more importantly) no reasonable tutor will expect huge amounts from you the first term
Try not to worry too much about the work you're handing in atm: firstly I'm sure it's better than you realise, and secondly (and more importantly) no reasonable tutor will expect huge amounts from you the first term 
Original post by TypicalNerd
I kinda bs-ed my way through identifying a number of organic compounds using the 1H NMR and IR spectra
I 100% agree with your approach. Is there really any other way to do it?!
Original post by bl0bf1sh
I 100% agree with your approach. Is there really any other way to do it?!
I assume so - you could annotate the spectrum to death with every rule under the sun and make a comment about how coupling constants have screwed over the splitting, but I just wanted the postlab over and done with.
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Yay for formal and red wine! Try not to worry too much about the work you're handing in atm: firstly I'm sure it's better than you realise, and secondly (and more importantly) no reasonable tutor will expect huge amounts from you the first term
Try not to worry too much about the work you're handing in atm: firstly I'm sure it's better than you realise, and secondly (and more importantly) no reasonable tutor will expect huge amounts from you the first term Indeed yay for formals and red wine.
I think the problem is my standards are very high and a lot of silly mistakes were made. I deffo need to be less of a perfectionist in future.
It seems I’ve not been keeping this thread updated… I rather suspected that might happen.
So far, all is well and I am generally managing the workload (though my inorganic chemistry tutor is probably going to disagree with that, given I didn’t hand in my last tute sheet - oops).
I’ve really not done a whole lot besides the usual. I definitely do think Oxford so far has improved my work ethic and productivity as well as my ability to schedule my time (though there is definitely room for improvement - as evidenced by the fact I missed one tute sheet and haven’t done a lot to update this thread).
So far, all is well and I am generally managing the workload (though my inorganic chemistry tutor is probably going to disagree with that, given I didn’t hand in my last tute sheet - oops).
I’ve really not done a whole lot besides the usual. I definitely do think Oxford so far has improved my work ethic and productivity as well as my ability to schedule my time (though there is definitely room for improvement - as evidenced by the fact I missed one tute sheet and haven’t done a lot to update this thread).
Update 7: The ***** is back:
Before I get to discussing how things have been, I just want to say how much I hate this update to TSR - the colour scheme is abominable, the format is ugly as **** with zero redeemable features and things have gotten much more laggy with far more frequent issues. It is very possible given how much of a mess TSR has become that I may just stop using it altogether in protest. Rant over.
Today marks one day since getting back to Oxford… aaaaaannnnnndddd we are already being given mock exams lol. (Note this most probably isn’t just an Oxford thing, so if you are yet to start uni, it is possible you may get similar treatment so be warned)
Our first mock (inorganic chemistry) was alright. Other than the first question being a bit of a ****fest and maybe two of my answers to other questions being a little sloppy, it seems like it went decently well.
The second mock (physical chemistry) was just thermodynamics and whilst I don’t think it went badly per se, it certainly wasn’t great and I know I could have done much better with better preparation.
I’m looking forward to getting my organic mock out the way, all the lab reports done and having a much less chaotic time later this week.
Before I get to discussing how things have been, I just want to say how much I hate this update to TSR - the colour scheme is abominable, the format is ugly as **** with zero redeemable features and things have gotten much more laggy with far more frequent issues. It is very possible given how much of a mess TSR has become that I may just stop using it altogether in protest. Rant over.
Today marks one day since getting back to Oxford… aaaaaannnnnndddd we are already being given mock exams lol. (Note this most probably isn’t just an Oxford thing, so if you are yet to start uni, it is possible you may get similar treatment so be warned)
Our first mock (inorganic chemistry) was alright. Other than the first question being a bit of a ****fest and maybe two of my answers to other questions being a little sloppy, it seems like it went decently well.
The second mock (physical chemistry) was just thermodynamics and whilst I don’t think it went badly per se, it certainly wasn’t great and I know I could have done much better with better preparation.
I’m looking forward to getting my organic mock out the way, all the lab reports done and having a much less chaotic time later this week.
Spoiler
(edited 9 months ago)
Update 8: Au revoir, TSR!:
This is not an update of where I am at in terms of uni life or anything. This is to be one of my last posts on TSR. Yep, that’s right - I’ve decided to quit, so my account will be deleted in a week’s time.
Although it has been brief, it has been a great pleasure using TSR and being a forum helper. I will fondly remember the many thank you messages I received for my efforts with guiding users to correct solutions in chemistry and maths and the brief time spent working closely with @5hyl33n to revamp the chemistry forum. I will also remember how much of a goldmine @Oxford Mum’s “Oxford Demystified” on TSR was when it came to finding advice for reapplying to Oxford - without which, I expect I may not have landed a place.
It is extremely disappointing to see the state TSR has now ended up in given how much potential it has shown itself to have. Following incomprehensible decisions made regarding “necessary” changes to the website in recent times, I am finding TSR to be unusable and have decided it isn’t worth sitting and begging for these changes to be repealed or fixed as they inevitably won’t be.
Rather than continue the rant, I would like to conclude this post with a huge thank you to all of you who have followed my GYG blog, supported me in some way or even just had a nice chat with me. Your time means a lot and it has not gone unappreciated.
Goodbye and thanks,
TypicalNerd
This is not an update of where I am at in terms of uni life or anything. This is to be one of my last posts on TSR. Yep, that’s right - I’ve decided to quit, so my account will be deleted in a week’s time.
Although it has been brief, it has been a great pleasure using TSR and being a forum helper. I will fondly remember the many thank you messages I received for my efforts with guiding users to correct solutions in chemistry and maths and the brief time spent working closely with @5hyl33n to revamp the chemistry forum. I will also remember how much of a goldmine @Oxford Mum’s “Oxford Demystified” on TSR was when it came to finding advice for reapplying to Oxford - without which, I expect I may not have landed a place.
It is extremely disappointing to see the state TSR has now ended up in given how much potential it has shown itself to have. Following incomprehensible decisions made regarding “necessary” changes to the website in recent times, I am finding TSR to be unusable and have decided it isn’t worth sitting and begging for these changes to be repealed or fixed as they inevitably won’t be.
Rather than continue the rant, I would like to conclude this post with a huge thank you to all of you who have followed my GYG blog, supported me in some way or even just had a nice chat with me. Your time means a lot and it has not gone unappreciated.
Goodbye and thanks,
TypicalNerd
Spoiler
Original post by TypicalNerd
Update 8: Au revoir, TSR!:
This is not an update of where I am at in terms of uni life or anything. This is to be one of my last posts on TSR. Yep, that’s right - I’ve decided to quit, so my account will be deleted in a week’s time.
Although it has been brief, it has been a great pleasure using TSR and being a forum helper. I will fondly remember the many thank you messages I received for my efforts with guiding users to correct solutions in chemistry and maths and the brief time spent working closely with @5hyl33n to revamp the chemistry forum. I will also remember how much of a goldmine @Oxford Mum’s “Oxford Demystified” on TSR was when it came to finding advice for reapplying to Oxford - without which, I expect I may not have landed a place.
It is extremely disappointing to see the state TSR has now ended up in given how much potential it has shown itself to have. Following incomprehensible decisions made regarding “necessary” changes to the website in recent times, I am finding TSR to be unusable and have decided it isn’t worth sitting and begging for these changes to be repealed or fixed as they inevitably won’t be.
Rather than continue the rant, I would like to conclude this post with a huge thank you to all of you who have followed my GYG blog, supported me in some way or even just had a nice chat with me. Your time means a lot and it has not gone unappreciated.
Goodbye and thanks,
TypicalNerd
This is not an update of where I am at in terms of uni life or anything. This is to be one of my last posts on TSR. Yep, that’s right - I’ve decided to quit, so my account will be deleted in a week’s time.
Although it has been brief, it has been a great pleasure using TSR and being a forum helper. I will fondly remember the many thank you messages I received for my efforts with guiding users to correct solutions in chemistry and maths and the brief time spent working closely with @5hyl33n to revamp the chemistry forum. I will also remember how much of a goldmine @Oxford Mum’s “Oxford Demystified” on TSR was when it came to finding advice for reapplying to Oxford - without which, I expect I may not have landed a place.
It is extremely disappointing to see the state TSR has now ended up in given how much potential it has shown itself to have. Following incomprehensible decisions made regarding “necessary” changes to the website in recent times, I am finding TSR to be unusable and have decided it isn’t worth sitting and begging for these changes to be repealed or fixed as they inevitably won’t be.
Rather than continue the rant, I would like to conclude this post with a huge thank you to all of you who have followed my GYG blog, supported me in some way or even just had a nice chat with me. Your time means a lot and it has not gone unappreciated.
Goodbye and thanks,
TypicalNerd
Spoiler
RIP softie 😔😔
You’ll be missed
Sorry to hear this but understandable (I'm hating this new layout too and find it unusable). Good luck with your onward journey
Original post by harlz_chalamet
RIP softie 😔😔
You’ll be missed
You’ll be missed
Thanks for the kind words. Best of luck with getting through year 13 and starting uni. Given it seems there is no option to actually delete my account (I have scoured the various account settings), I may log on just once on A level results day to see how things are and give you (and a few others) my congratulations.
Original post by Sorcerer of Old
Hi TypicalNerd!
I would say it’s sad to see you go but I’m also leaving permanently at the end of the month or early Feb, but for different reasons. Even though I don’t hate the new update as much as you, I still really dislike how it’s changed the layout, you can’t see rep list, multi quote is gone, posting pics is gone and so on therefore I really understand why others would quit this site over it. I’ve really enjoyed your posts and your blog and it’s nice to relive student Oxford days through someone else lol! Anyway, all the best and I know you’ll just love your time here. I’m walking through Christ Church Meadow right now (well, it’s more like Christ Church Lake haha) and I’d really recommend strolling through and seeing how the landscape has changed. And unlike TSR’s updates this is actually a very pleasant, aesthetically pleasing transformation! Anyway, best of luck with your Oxford journey, another great member that TSR has lost!
I would say it’s sad to see you go but I’m also leaving permanently at the end of the month or early Feb, but for different reasons. Even though I don’t hate the new update as much as you, I still really dislike how it’s changed the layout, you can’t see rep list, multi quote is gone, posting pics is gone and so on therefore I really understand why others would quit this site over it. I’ve really enjoyed your posts and your blog and it’s nice to relive student Oxford days through someone else lol! Anyway, all the best and I know you’ll just love your time here. I’m walking through Christ Church Meadow right now (well, it’s more like Christ Church Lake haha) and I’d really recommend strolling through and seeing how the landscape has changed. And unlike TSR’s updates this is actually a very pleasant, aesthetically pleasing transformation! Anyway, best of luck with your Oxford journey, another great member that TSR has lost!
Thank you. Fair enough - the website is quite boring now and there isn’t much motivation to stay anyway.
You are right that I hate the update - TSR seems to have just become a shitty advertising farm and at least one of the providers (who thankfully seem to have been removed) appeared to be a fairly obvious link farm. The fact that this was even allowed is frankly appalling as that could be hiding all sorts of malware.
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Sorry to hear this but understandable (I'm hating this new layout too and find it unusable). Good luck with your onward journey
Thanks. It has been lovely to read your posts and I wish you all the best going forward.
Oh, and on another note, I have one small update from uni: my inorganic chemistry collection was marked and I managed 41/45 (91%) despite sloppy answers at points. It appears that the marking criteria on this one paper was actually more lenient than it is at A level, which I find surprising.
Original post by TypicalNerd
Thanks. It has been lovely to read your posts and I wish you all the best going forward.
Oh, and on another note, I have one small update from uni: my inorganic chemistry collection was marked and I managed 41/45 (91%) despite sloppy answers at points. It appears that the marking criteria on this one paper was actually more lenient than it is at A level, which I find surprising.
The marking criteria is usually much more lenient than that at A-Level. Though a mark scheme is used, lecturers/markers are allowed to use make their own decision of whether to give you the marks even if your answer doesn’t exactly match the mark scheme, but shows understanding of what is required.
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